Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State

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Object Details

Maker
George Peter Alexander Healy (American, 1813-1894)
Date
1848
Geography
United States
Culture
North American
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
Overall: 57 in x 47 in; 144.78 cm x 119.38 cm
Provenance
This portrait of Daniel Webster, which was done in 1848, is a replica of one which he painted from life in 1842 and which is now owned by the New-York Historical Society. This replica, together with a portrait of Lord Ashburton, also a replica of his original done from life, was purchased from Mrs. Caroline LeRoy Webster by the congressional Joint Committee on the Library of Congress in 1879 out of an appropriation for "Works of Art for the Capitol." On December 30, 1879, Senator Daniel W. Voorhees, on behalf of the Joint Committee, requested the Department of State to place these portraits in its diplomatic reception room, and on January 5, 1880, the Department replied that it would be pleased to do so. Healy also painted the Departments portrait of Elihu B. Washburne.
Inscriptions
No inscription. A plaque attached to the frame reads: "Painted by G.P.A. Healy --1848."
Credit Line
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Collection
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Accession Number
RR-1981.0086

Biography

Daniel Webster had been in the U.S. Senate in 1850 during the debates over slavery in the new territories gained from Mexico following the Mexican-American War. After he assumed the office of the secretary of state for a second time, he continued to work for the passage of what would become known as the Compromise of 1850. His interest in foreign relations focused on trade. In the Pacific, the expedition of Commodore Matthew C. Perry opened Japan to trade, and Webster also negotiated trade agreements with Latin American nations, at the same time discouraging British influence.  

Webster became ill in 1852 and died at his farm in Massachusetts while still serving as secretary of state.